Through The Fire
You Are An Agent of Change
By Mari Nakano
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008

Mahatma Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader. He once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” For many, this resonates easily because I believe as humans, we understand that we are responsible not just for ourselves, but for those people around us – our families, our children, our students, our friends – who glean their knowledge and understanding from each of us. We are all individu­als with our own experiences, our own talents, and our own values. We are all independent in that we have the ability to make our own decisions. But I believe we are also naturally intertwined with people, sometimes even when we don’t want to be.

We are in relationships. And by being part of a relationship, we are therefore part of another person’s life. We are influential in our words and actions, as slight as they may be. Everyday, when we go to our jobs or to school, when we walk down the street or eat at a restau­rant, we are interacting and connecting with people. Sure, it’s possible that no one cares what you are doing or that you yourself even care what you are do­ing, but it’s also possible that someone does care. It’s possible that someone, acquaintance or stranger, friend or foe, is observing you or looking up to you. It’s possible that you are making a mark on others by what you do or what you say.

It’s not always those in high positions that are being listened to or observed. It’s not about being a boss, a superstar or a hero. It’s not about how well we speak, how much we get paid, how good we look or how talented we are. We are all influential. Everything from the way we thank someone, to the way we smile at people walking past us, to the times we just stop and say hello or how are you. Even our slightest actions can be influential, which goes to say, we all have the capability to affect one another whether we care to or not. If you are a parent, you know your children observe and mimic ev­erything you do. If you are a leader of an organization, you know you are be­ing listened to and observed critically. If you are a teacher, you know you are being trusted in your knowledge. If you are a celebrity, you know you are under a public microscope. Oh, but what if you are telling yourself right now that you’re just a normal every­day somebody with no special role? Well, perhaps actually, you matter just as equally as the so-called big wigs you may be thinking of. You matter to those around you who you love and who love you. You matter to those you don’t even know, who may be watching you or accidentally captured by your momentary presence.

I think we all have the power to be influential not in ways that aren’t ex­travagant, but in ways that are simple and true, in ways that are necessary but no less significant than a presidential speech.

So going back to Gandhi. It seems often that sometimes we rely very much on others to pave the way, to show us what needs to be changed, to assert themselves at the front of movements both massive and mini. But a leader such as Gandhi said it very easily: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” The emphasis is on you. I think it’s not about looking to others to do the job. Yes, we vote for those we think will lead our country or quote famous people to justify what we want to convey. But, it’s also important to look at yourself also. It’s important to be aware of your connections. It’s important to know what you are saying and be conscious of what actions you are doing. And it doesn’t matter if you are only connected to one person or a hundred people. You are an agent of change, a being of influence, a person for others. You are the wick at the tip of a candle. What you do, however miniscule it may seem, can be powerful in a way you might not even fathom. If you want the world to change around you, you need to partake in making that happen. And that doesn’t mean you have to be raising your fist in a protest or run­ning for political office or climbing the corporate ladder to a high position. It’s not about money, power, clout or any of that. It is as simple as your existence. You are not here without reason. Again, it can be as little as a smile to a stranger or a nod of thanks or acknowledgement that can stimulate a spark, a moment of enlightenment, a chain of events. Have a good day.
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Mari Nakano is a 28 year–old Nisei. She is currently acquiring her MFA in Media Design from Art Center College of Design. She is also a member of Higashi Honganji’s Bombu Taiko. Comments or questions? Please feel free to email her at mari.nakano@gmail.com The opin­ions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.